Man falls into hole, seriously injured

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – Shortly before noon on Tuesday, November 8, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched Shenandoah ALS to 215 West New York Street in Shenandoah for a traumatic injury. Moments later, the rescue assignment was dispatched to assist with extrication. The assignment included the Shenandoah Fire Department and West End Rescue 993 from Mahanoy City.

Medic 6403 went responding and was advised of a male in his sixties who feel into a hole in a garage on New York Street. It was reported that the male fell approximately 8-10 feet and was complaining of back pain. The caller stated the male was still in the hole and there was no power in the building.

Shenandoah Chief 740 arrived on scene and established command. Medic 6403 arrived and began to assess the patient. Defender Engine 751 arrived on the scene and staged on West Street. Rescue 993 staged in the same area.

Crews determined the best method for extrication would be a stokes basket and ladders. EMS personnel worked to immobilize the patient while rescue crews gathered the necessary equipment.

Within ten minutes of arriving on scene, the male was extricated from the garage and moved to the waiting ambulance. Once further assessment was complete, EMS requested aeromedical to transport the patient to a trauma facility. Lehigh Valley Health Network MedEvac 7 was dispatched to the Shenandoah landing zone on East Washington Street.

Columbia Engine 742 responded to the landing zone and secured the area for the helicopter. The patient was loaded onto the helicopter and safely transported to a trauma center. All crews were available shortly after noon.